New citizens advice service in Upper Street will help change lives

Published: 8th April, 2011
by PAVAN AMARA

A REMINDER of the importance of having a Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in the heart of the community was illustrated on Monday when London’s first new CAB in 20 years set up shop in Upper Street.

Some 38 people came through the doors on its first day, including a woman who revealed she had considered suicide because of the violent abuse she was subjected to at home.

CAB Islington chief executive Alison Lamb said at the opening: “This morning a woman came in to ask about housing. As we got talking to her, she revealed that she had recently tried to take her own life because she was being subjected to such terrible domestic violence at home. We immediately directed her to the help that she desperately needed. 

“That was not only housing advice, but so much more. That is why we’re here. I don’t think any other story could illustrate so precisely exactly what we’re here to do.”

The CAB is the first walk-in advice centre to operate in the borough for four years, and was the fulfilment of a Labour Party election pledge. 

Council leader Catherine West said: “We’ve found the money and space to bring the service back because we want residents to have the very best advice possible in the face of the harshest government cuts any of us have ever seen.”

CAB services offer confidential advice on a host of problems from debt to housing. 

High Court Judge Lord Justice Mummery was also at the opening. His wife, Anne, has spent much of her career as a social worker in Islington. “The three major problems the CAB has seen so far have been to do with debt, employment and benefits,” he said.

Last year the CAB helped 2.1 million people across England and Wales, dealing with 7.1 million problems. 

Islington’s CAB is at 222 Upper Street, N1, 9.30am-4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 1-8pm Thursday. There is also a telephone service on 0844 4111444.